Intruder repeller for screened openings



May 30, 1967 A 1 MaCDoNALD 3,322,078

INTRUDER RBPELLER FOR SCREENED OPENINGS Filed Oct. 24. 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet l A. J. MHCDONALD INTRUDER RBPELLER FOR SCREENED @PENINGS May 30, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet Filed Oct. 24, 1965 United States Patent Office 3,322,078 latented VMay 30, 1967f 3,322,078 INTRUDER REPELLER FOR SCREENED OPENINGS Albert .lames MacDonald, Van Nuys, Calif., assigner to The Allen and MacDonald Corp., Los Angeles, Calif.,

a corporation of California Filed Oct. 24, 1965, Ser. No. 504,791 8 Claims. (Cl. 109-31) The invention relates to burglary protection devices and more particularly to repeller apparatus associated with screened openings.

Many burglary protection devices are elaborate locking devices which prove to be ineiective once knowledge of their make-up becomes common. Other devices of this nature are heavy, unsightly grids or shutters that do not harmonize with conventional building decor and which inhibit normal use of the opening they are designed to protect.

I have invented apparatus that alfords positive repulsion of Would-be intruders and which is adaptable to most architectural concepts. The apparatus of the invention also does not impede normal use of the screened opening which it protects.

The invention contemplates an intruder repeller for use with a framed screen over an opening that comprises a closed box iixed at the top of the opening exteriorly thereof and containing alarm mechanism and repelling cartridges of gas. Preferably a pressurized container of tear Igas and a container of a refrigerant gas, such as Freon, reside within the box. A door in the box that is accessible from within the opening may be opened to replace cartridges and to set the mechanism. A horizontal control rod is mounted for rotation within the box. The rod is spring-loaded for rotation. A catch Within the box prevents rotation of the rod. The catch is Iheld in position by an actuating arm which extends into the box from the screen. Each gas cartridge and the alarm device (which is preferably a noise alarm) has an implementing lever. The lever is normally actuated in response to rotation of the control rod. Means are provided for precluding motion of the levers under certain circumstances. Ordinarily, when the screen is moved the catch is defeated and rotating spring causes motion of the actuating levers.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention a latch wheel on the control rod has a protrusion which contacts the catch. The latch wheel has a set screw to selectively x it to the rod. A helical spring wound about the rod has one end xed to the wheel and the other fixed with respect to the box. The set screw preferably extends in a winding handle whereby the wheel may be turned about the control rod to wind the spring. When the set screw is tightened after winding, the control rod rotates when motion of the screen defeats the catch.

The invention can be used in conjunction with both pivoted and sliding screens covering both Windows and doors. The apparatus is quickly mounted to a building and its operation is easy to learn.

These and other advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description and drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is an elevational View, embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a top plan section of the embodiment of FIG. l;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary transverse sectional elevation taken along line 3 3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a sectional elevation taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional elevation taken along line 5-5 of FIG. 3, showing a cartridge valve in detail;

partly in section, of an FIG. 6 is a sectional top plan view of an alternate embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 7 is a schematic front sectional elevation of a further embodiment of the invention combined with a sliding screen over an opening.

In the several gures like parts are referred to by like numerals.

The embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 through 5 is illustrated in use across a window 10 that has lupper and lower sash 11 and 12, respectively. The opening is framed in conventional fashion for a wooden or frame building, having the conventional header 14, sill 15, side trim 16 and 17 top trim 18, and stop strips 19, 20 to guide the double-hung sash. A repeller box 22 extends across the window at its top. The box is closed on all sides and ends. Fasteners such as the screw 24 extend through the back panel 25 of the box into the building wall 26 at each end of the box. Each fastener head is enclosed by a shield 28 which is open at the top and has a large aperture 29 in its front end. The aperture gives access to the fastener while the box is being hung. After hanging, a plate 31 is placed within the shield 28 to block the aperture and each shield is filled with molten lead. The solidified lead 32 within the shield effectively precludes removal of the fasteners and the repeller box.

Back panel 25 has a hinged door 34 which extends for a substantial portion of the width of the box. The box is hung with respect to the opening so that the door may be reached from within the opening. As can be seen from FIG. 3, a screen 35 depends from adjacent the box bottom panel 36. The door is accessible when sash 11 is lowered. A key lock 37 may be used to prevent unauthorized access to the box interior.

The screen preferably has a surround or frame 39. A pair of hardened steel slats 40 are fixed across the screen at intervals one-third the height of the screen. Upper hangers like pivot hanger 41 (FIG. 4) suspend the screen from the window trim. The screen abuts a gasket 42 at the bottom of the box to assure a sealed fit. The pivot action of the screen when it is unlatched at the bottom moves an arcuate actuating arm 44 that extends into the repeller box through a bottom opening 45.

The actuating arm bears against a catch 47 which is pivotally mounted to a journal stand 48 which also supports a control rod 49. A latch wheel 51 resides on the control rod and is free to turn on the rod except for a set screw 52 threadably engaged in the latch wheel. As shown in FIG. 3, the latch wheel is held against turning by contact of a wheel protrusion 53 with catch 47. A compression spring 55 bears on bottom panel 36 and against the catch, biasing the catch against the latch wheel. The spring opposes displacement of the catch by upward motion of actu-ating arm 44. p

A yhelical spring 57 vis wound around control rod 49. One end of the helical spring is fixed in latch Wheel 51 and the other end is fixed with respect to the box i-n a support boss 58 on an end wall 59 ofthe box. The remote end of the rod is journalled by bearing stand 60. In relaxed state,the latch wheel and its winding handle 61 are positioned as shown by dotted lines 63 of FIG. 3. The winding handle is preferably an extension of set screw 52. The spring is set by turning Winding handle to the left and then tightening the set screw so that the Wheel is fixed on the control rod. As the Wheel turns, its protrusion depresses catch 47 until the protrusion lodges behind lip 64 of the catch. Neither rod nor Wheel can then rotate until the catch is displaced or the set screw loosened. v

A pair of gas cartridges `are clamped in the box against the outer or front panel 66 of the box. Resilient clips 67,' 68 hold the gas cartridges 69, 71, respectively, against Y pression spring 55.

the panel and against the box bottom. Locators 72, 73.

register the cartridges horizontally. Preferably one car tridge contains pressurized Freon and the other contains tear gas. Each cartridge has a valve 75 at its outlet 76. Each valve comprises an internally threaded collar 77 which iits the threaded outlet of the cartridge. Each lcollar has `a second internal thread 78 in which a piercing needle 79 lodges. A hexagonal head 81 on the needle enables it to be advanced through an e-nd wall 82 of the outlet to .release the gas within. The head also hold -a washer 83 which keeps in place a revolving valve element 84. The valve element revolves on the periphery of collar 77 between the washer and a collar shoulder 85.

The lcollar has a port 86 connecting with the discharge Vfrom the cartridge outlet. The valve element has a second port 87 that is' normally misaligned with first port 86, as shown in dotted lines in FIG. 3. Suitably located conventional O-rings seal the valve against leaks. FIG. represents the valve assembly in actuated condition,

wherein the ports are aligned and gas discharges through the ports into a conical gas guide 87 iixed to bottom panel 36. The top of the guide is shaped to receive the valve element in a close iit. A plurality of perforationspSS in the lbottom panel direct the gas into the area adjacent the exterior of the opening most. likely to be occupied by an intruder tampering with the window.

A plurality `of perforationsris preferred because of the greaterdifliculty of blocking many holes compared to blocking a single large hole. n

` The lvalves are implemented each by a radial implelmenting lever 91 iixed to the control rod. Each lever has i a slot 92 at its free end. The slot receives a pin 93 that projects from the end of the valve element. Radial motion of the lever turns the valve element so that the ports of the element and the valve colla-r coincide to set the defense gases of the repeller in motion. The arcuate motion of the element is limited by a collar pin 94 that engages the stop surfaces of a stop slot 95 on the edge of the element.

The operation of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5 is as follows: The repeller is armed by winding the spring on the control rod vby means of handle 61. The Wound latch wheel is locked in place by the catch and fixed to the control rod by the set screw. The catch is loaded into lock position by the compression spring. The actuating arm of the sc-reen opposes the catch spring. When the screen is pivoted outwardly yor removed the Iarm unlocks the catch. The wound spring instantly rotates the control rod,

moving'the implementing levers in an arc. The levers revolve the respective valve elements to release the compressed gases against the intruder. The physical disabilities resulting from the gases eiiectively repel the intruder, and dissipate in a short while to restore the normal situation.

v It itis desired to open or'remove the screen, the wheel latch set screw can be loosened from inside the opening, with the resultthat no motion is communicated to the y control rod rfrorn the helical spring.

The embodiment of FIG. 6 is simliar to that of FIG. l, having a closed repelle-rrboxfZZ, fastener shields 28, and an interiorly accessible door 34. Gas cartridges 69, 71 within the repeller box Vhave valves 75. A screen actuating arm 44 extends into the box. A control rod 49 extends horizontally within the box between -an end support boss V58 and a bearing stand 60. A journalrstand 48 supports Y means for imparting rotation to the control rod 'to the Y a pivoted catch 47 which is engaged by arm 44 and a corn- A helical spring 1011s fixed at its ends one to the box atr'boss 58 and the other in the control rod. A latch iinger 102 extends from the rod into engagement with the catch. A Winding handle 103 is fixed to the rod so as to be reached through the door 34 when open. The finger moves into'locked relationship to the catch when the spring is wound by'thehandle.

An elongate sleeve 105 of tubular -coniiguration resides on the control rod. A collar 106 on the sleeve is internally threaded at 107 to receive a lock screw 109. The lock screw has a hand grip 111 accessible from the interior of the opening when door 34 is unlocked and opened, and xes the sleeve to the control rod.

Implementing 'levers 110 extend from vthe sleeve to the valves 75 of the gas cartridges and to on-off button 112 of a noise alarm 113. Preferably the noise alarm is a spring-powered bell, but may be a siren, klaxonv or ratchet. A battery-powered noise alarm may be substituted for the spring-powered alarm if desired.

When the sleeve is fixed to the control rod the embodi ment of FIG. 6 operates as does the embodiment of FIG. l, except that the` control rod is rotated directly by the spring Ihelically wound about it. Defeat of the system to make normal use of the screen is achievedl by lossening the lock screw to tree the sleeve on the rod. Y.

Inl the embodiment of FIG.'7 an intruder repeller 120 similar to those previously described is fixed to a building across sliding glass doors. An actuating arm 122 extends into the repeller box from each door. Each arm contacts a sloping ramp 124, 125 on the bottom side of a catch 47. The ramps slope oppositely in the direction of door movement. As in the previously described embodiments, the gases are released and the alarm sounded when a door is moved, since suchrmotion overcomes the compression springland frees the spring-loaded control rod for rotation.

Obviously the same apparatus would apply to 'use with sliding screen doors, with the same type of actuating arm 122 being utilized. Y

The apparatus of the invention has been shown to be adaptable to differing opening situations and to be vari'- able in the defense elements employed. The illustrative embodiments disclose only a few of the many variations within the scope of the invention that will occur to those skilled in the art. Therefore, I wish the invention to be measured by the appended claims rather than v:by the purely illustrative disclosure set forth in this specification.

I claim: i

1. An intruder repeller for use with an openingcovered by a framed screen movable with respect to the opening and comprising a closed box spanning the opening horizontally, a Ydoor in the box accessible from Within the opening, a gas cartridge within the box containing a gas under pressure, said gas being of a kind calculated to repel a human coming in contact therewith, a valve on the outlet oit the gas cartridge, a valve implementing lever, a horizontal control rod supported for rotation within the box, means for imparting rotation to the rod, a catch in the box preventing rotation of the rod, an actuating 'arm on the framed screen securing the catch in locked position when the screen is in normal closed position with respect to the opening, said actuating arm releasing the catch from locked position when the screen is moved from the opening, means for selectively connecting the valve implementing lever, and means for guiding gas discharged from the cartridge into the area exterior of theV box ladjacent the opening. Y

2. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 additionally comprising a self-powered noise alarm containedwithin the box,.an on-off control on the alarm, means responsive to rotation of the control rod for actuating the Ycontrol to implement the noise alarm concurrently with the release of gas from the cartridge. Y

3. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 whe-rein'the means for imparting rotation to the control rod comprises a latch wheel on the control lrod, a spring helically Wound about the control rod and fixed at oneend to the box and at the other end to the latch Wheel, Vand means on the latch wheel for selectively securing the latch wheel to the control rod and winding chesp-ring by the latcih wheel.

4. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1V addlonallyV comprising a rst hardened steel slat fixed to the screen [trame exteriorly of the opening and extending horizontally across the screen on a line onethird the height of the screen, and a second hardened steel slat fixed to the screen frame exteriorly `of the opening and extending horizontally across the screen on a line two-thirds the height of the screen.

5. Apparatus in accordance with claim 1 wherein the means for imparting rotation to the control bar cornprises a spring helicallly wound about the rod and fastened at one end to the control -rod and at the other end to the box, and a Winding handle on the rod.

6. Apparatus in accordance with claim 4 wherein the means for selectively connecting the rotation means to the implementing -lever comprises a sleeve to which the implementing levers are xed journalled on the control rod, and means for selectively xing the sleeve to the control rod to rotate therewith.

7. An intruder repeller for Iuse with an opening covered by a pivoted screen and comprising a closed box spanning the opening horizontally, a door in the box laccessible from Within the opening, a first gas cartridge Within the Ibox containing a tear gas, a second gas cartridge Within the box containing a refrigerant gas, a valve on the outlet of each cartridge, a horizontal rod within the box supported for rotation therein, a latch wheel on the rod, means for selectively fixing the latch wheel to the bar to rotate therewith, a catch in the box adapted to restrain rotation of the latch wheel, an actuating arm on the screen extending into the `box and engaging the catch in lock position when the screen is in normal closed position, spring means loading the latch wheel for rotation about the axis of the horizontal rod, valve implementing levers extending from the rod and connected mechanically to each cartridge valve, said levers rotating with the rod to open the valves when the screen is displaced from normal position, and ducts opening exteriorly of the closed box to guide the discharged gases from the cartridge outlets into the area adjacent the screened openlng.

8. Apparatus in accordance with claim 7 further cornprising a spring-wound noise alarm contained Within the box, a control lever on the alarm, an on-oi control on the alarm, and an alarm implementing lever fixed to the control rod and adapted to shift the alarm control to irnplement the noise alarm concurrently with the release of gas from the cartridges.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,541,103 6/ 1925 Bradnor 109-29 1,792,023 2/ 1931 Macy 109-29 2,217,852 10/ 1940 Anderson 109-29 3,029,424 4/ 1962 Savage l09`43 REINALDO P. MACHADO, Primary Examz'n'er. 

1. AN INTRUDER REPELLER FOR USE WITH AN OPENING COVERED BY A FRAMED SCREEN MOVABLE WITH RESPECT TO THE OPENING AND COMPRISING A CLOSED BOX SPANNING THE OPENING HORIZONTALLY, A DOOR IN THE BOX ACCESSIBLE FROM WITHIN THE OPENING, A GAS CARTRIDGE WITHIN THE BOX CONTAINING GAS UNDER PRESSURE, SAID GAS BEING OF A KIND CALCULATED TO REPEL A HUMAN COMING IN CONTACT THEREWITH, A VALVE ON THE OUTLET OF THE GAS CARTRIDGE, A VALVE IMPLEMENTING LEVER, A HORIZONTAL CONTROL ROD SUPPORTED FOR ROTATION WITHIN THE BOX, MEANS FOR IMPARTING ROTATION TO THE ROD, A CATCH IN THE BOX PREVENTING ROTATING OF THE ROD, AN ACTUATING ARM ON THE FRAMED SCREEN SECURING THE CATCH IN LOCKED POSITION WHEN THE SCREEN IS IN NORMAL CLOSED POSITION WITH RESPECT TO THE OPENING, SAID ACTUATING ARM RELEASING THE CATCH FROM LOCKED POSITION WHEN THE SCREEN IS MOVED FROM THE OPENING, MEANS FOR SELECTIVELY CONNECTING THE MEANS FOR IMPARTING ROTATION TO THE CONTROL ROD TO THE VALVE IMPLEMENTING LEVER, AND MEANS FOR GUIDING GAS DISCHARGED FROM THE CARTRIDGE INTO THE AREA EXTERIOR OF THE BOX ADJACENT THE OPENING. 